Cleveland Browns instant reactions to first playoff win since 1994

The Cleveland Browns won their first playoff game since 1994

It took 17 years for the Cleveland Browns to get back to the playoffs and just 14 seconds for them to score once they were back in the postseason. That huge play to start the game set them up with all the momentum and it was enough to keep the Steelers from taking the lead at any point in this contest.

Cleveland was in trouble in this one since they didn’t have their head coach as well as several starters including cornerback Denzel Ward and guard Joel Bitonio due to COVID-19. The positive tests also limited their practices this week but it didn’t matter.

Without Kevin Stefanski, it was like the Cleveland Indians getting it done for Lou Brown while he was in the hospital watching ‘soap operas’. And Stefanski might have been screaming as much as Lou did.

Cleveland played spectacular football on offense with Alex Van Pelt calling plays and while the defense surrendered far too many yards, they had five turnovers — four of which were interceptions. They bent — a lot — but made the opportunistic plays and held the Steelers off just enough to get the win 48-37.

Cleveland football is back and we have some instant reactions to one of the most exciting games we have witnessed in a very, very long time.

Browns pour it on early

A fumble on a snap from Maurkice Pouncey that flew over Ben Roethlisberger’s head ended up in the arms of Karl Joseph in the end zone to give the Browns a 7-0 lead.

Joseph wasn’t done there as he helped force a turnover on the next series when he blitzed after Big Ben and forced an ugly pass, which landed in the arms of M.J. Stewart. Cleveland made quick work of their first offensive series as well, with Baker Mayfield hitting Jarvis Landry on a third-and-four, and Landry made several moves to take the ball 40-yards for the touchdown.

At this point, the Browns were up 14-0 and again, not done. They forced a punt on the ensuing series when Ronnie Harrison stuffed Derek Watt on a third-and-short. The offense again made it look easy as they responded with a 65-yard drive that took just six plays and ended with an 11-yard touchdown from Kareem Hunt.

Cleveland’s defense again made a stand as Sheldrick Redwine picked off a pass which led to yet another quick score as Hunt got in for the second time on the night, extending the lead to 28-0 with roughly two minutes left in the first quarter. And according to Hayden Grove, those 28 points were a record in the first quarter of a playoff game.

The second quarter didn’t provide near as many fireworks for the Browns, but they did still score once more with Austin Hooper hauling in a touchdown pass, which was their answer to the first Steelers touchdown of the game. A field goal at the end of the first 30 minutes made it 35-10, with the Browns set to receive the second half kick-off.